He said: "It will be substantially greater than the divi has been historically. Over the next five or so years people will be looking to yield to a far greater extent. Those companies that can pay a much higher yield will be rewarded in terms of share price performance."

In a trading update, 3i said it had stepped up asset sales lately, reaping £528 million in the five months to August.

Queen, who took the chief executive job in January 2009, reckons there are opportunities for the firm despite concerns about the outlook.

"I am quite bearish is about the macro economy. We are being selective about investment," he said.The mergers and acquisitions market is quiet just now, Queen reckons.

3i tends to buy whole companies rather than chunks of stock, but Queen believes some large companies are now selling cheaply.

He said: "The stock market has significantly over-corrected. If you look at the FTSE there are some outstanding companies at prices that I haven't seen for 20 years. There is value out there."

3i investors will be told on November 10th just how much higher the dividend payments will become.

The shares today added 1.89p to 188p. That leaves the company valued at £1.8 billion.